Cosmetic container with improved sealing performance

ABSTRACT

There is provided a cosmetic container with improved sealing performance to prevent a leakage of a substance in a liquid or gel state while being not used. The cosmetic container includes a body containing the substance, a discharge tip coupled with an inlet of the body, via the discharge tip the substance being discharged outwards, a transfer nozzle provided on the body and the discharge tip to become a transfer path of the substance, a cap fitting an outside of the discharge tip to be detachable and covering an outlet of the discharge tip not to expose the outlet outwards, and a valve unit automatically preventing a path of the transfer nozzle not to supply the substance to a discharging portion of the discharge tip when closing the cap.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application Number 10-2012-0104142 with a filing date of Sep. 19, 2012. Furthermore, Korean Patent Application Number 10-2012-0104142 is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a cosmetic container, and more particularly, to a cosmetic container with improved sealing performance to prevent a leakage of a substance therein formed in a liquid or gel when being not used.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

As an example of cosmetics stored in a container as a liquid or gel state and discharged from the container when being used, there is lip gloss. Lip gloss keeps lips to be moist by preventing evaporation of moisture and simultaneously with shielding lips from outside to protect lips against external physical stimulation.

Korean Utility Model Registration No. 20-0459353 (hereinafter, referred to as Cited Reference 1) discloses a lip gloss container containing lip gloss and discharging the lip gloss to be applied to lips if necessary.

According to the lip gloss container of Cited Reference 1, a disk installed in an outlet is rotated and controls opening of the outlet to freely control an amount of discharged lip gloss.

In spite of this advantage, in case of the lip gloss container, when closing a cap with the outlet being open after use, there occurs a leakage of the lip gloss via the open outlet. Accordingly, it is necessary to close the outlet of the cap by rotating a discharge amount controller whenever after use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a cosmetic container with improved sealing performance capable of automatically preventing a leakage of a substance when closing a cap after use that substantially obviates one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

Particularly, there is provided a cosmetic container with improved sealing performance capable of simply preventing a leakage of lip gloss by automatically blocking an outlet through which the lip gloss is discharged when closing the cap after use.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cosmetic container with improved sealing performance. The cosmetic container includes a body containing a substance, a discharge tip coupled with an inlet of the body, via the discharge tip the substance being discharged outside, a transfer nozzle provided on the body and the discharge tip to become a transfer path of the substance, a cap fitting an outside of the discharge tip to be detachable and covering an outlet of the discharge tip not to expose the outlet outwards, and a valve unit automatically preventing a path of the transfer nozzle not to supply the substance to a discharging portion of the discharge tip when closing the cap.

The valve unit includes a valve inserted into a valve insertion groove connected to the path in the transfer nozzle and projected outside the discharge tip via a valve penetration hole formed on the discharge tip and an elastic element elastically supporting the valve in the valve insertion groove. The valve is pushed by the elastic element and the path is open when opening the cap, and the valve is automatically compressed by the cap and the path is blocked when closing the cap.

The transfer nozzle includes a first nozzle portion inserted into the body, inside the first nozzle portion a first transfer path being formed, a holding portion extended from one end of the first nozzle portion and put on hold by the inlet of the body, inside the holding portion a first substance penetration hole being formed and connected to the first transfer path, a valve insertion portion extended from the holding portion, inside the valve insertion portion a valve insertion groove being formed and connected to the first substance penetration hole, a shielding plate extended from the valve insertion portion and in close contact with an inner surface of the discharge tip to prevent reverse flow of the substance discharged outwards through between the transfer nozzle and the discharge tip, inside the shielding plate a second substance penetration hole being formed and connected to the valve insertion groove, and a second nozzle portion extended from the shielding plate and located on a discharging portion of the discharge tip, inside the second nozzle portion a second transfer path being formed and connected to the second substance penetration hole.

The cosmetic container further includes a compressing holder inserted into the body while being coupled with an outside of the first nozzle portion. The compressing holder is transferred on the first nozzle portion and increases the pressure of the substance contained in the body by compressing the substance when rotating the body.

The cosmetic container further includes a brush provided on the discharging portion and connected to the transfer nozzle.

According to the cosmetic container with improved sealing performance, the valve is automatically pressed by the cap when closing the cap in such a way that the path of the transfer nozzle is blocked, thereby simply preventing a leakage of a substance therein when being not used. Particularly, since the valve is operated by just closing the cap without additional action to operate the valve, not only the use thereof is very convenient but also it is possible to prevent unnecessary loss of the substance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded-perspective view illustrating a cosmetic container with improved sealing performance according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view illustrating the cosmetic container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a body of the cosmetic container.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are longitudinal cross-sectional views illustrating the body of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view illustrating a discharge tip of the cosmetic container.

FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view illustrating the discharge tip of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view illustrating the discharge tip of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a front view illustrating a transfer nozzle of the cosmetic container.

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view illustrating the transfer nozzle of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a cap of the cosmetic container.

FIG. 12 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view illustrating the cap of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a valve of the cosmetic container.

FIG. 14 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view illustrating the valve of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating a compressing holder of the cosmetic container.

FIG. 16 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view illustrating the compressing holder of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view illustrating a sealing ring of the cosmetic container.

FIG. 18 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view illustrating the sealing ring of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view illustrating a brush of the cosmetic container.

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the operation of the valve while opening the cap.

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the operation of the valve while closing the cap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a cosmetic container with improved sealing performance according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view illustrating the cosmetic container of FIG. 1.

The cosmetic container includes a body 10, a discharge tip 20, a transfer nozzle 30, a cap 40, a valve unit 50, a compressing holder 60, and a brush 70.

The body 10 is open on one end thereof and filled with a substance such as lip gloss in a liquid or gel state therein.

The discharge tip 20 is coupled with an inlet of the body 10 to discharge the substance contained in the body 10 outside. The brush 70 is coupled with an end portion of the discharge tip 20.

The transfer nozzle 30 is inserted into the body 10 and the discharge tip 20 and provides a path for transferring the substance contained in the body 10 to the end portion of the discharge tip 20, that is, the brush 70 of a discharging portion of the discharge tip 20.

The cap 40 fits the outside of the discharge tip 20 to be detachable. When being used, the cap 40 is separated from the discharge tip 20 to expose the brush 70 provided on the discharging portion of the discharge tip 20. When being not used, the cap 40 fits and covers the outside of the discharge tip 20 not to expose the brush 70 outside.

The valve unit 50 automatically blocks the path of the transfer nozzle 30 when closing the cap 40 not to transfer the substance to the discharging portion of the discharge tip 20. Such valve unit 50 includes a valve 51 and a spring 52 elastically supporting the valve 51.

The compressing holder 60 is inserted into the inlet of the body 10 while being coupled with an outside of the transfer nozzle 30 and compresses the substance contained in the body 10 to increase pressure of the substance, thereby easily discharging the substance. In addition, the transfer nozzle 30 is fastened to the body 10 and there is prevented a leakage of the substance at the inlet of the body 10. The sealing ring 80 is coupled with the compressing holder 60.

The brush 70 is inserted into and fastened to an outlet formed on the discharging portion of the discharge tip 20 and is connected to the transfer nozzle 30. The brush 70 is in direct contact with skin. Such brush 70 allows the discharged substance not to be a mass to be evenly applied to the skin.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the body 10, and FIGS. 4 and 5 are longitudinal cross-sectional views illustrating the body 10.

An inlet portion of the body 10 is formed to provide an outer diameter smaller than other portions to form a discharge tip fastening portion 11, an outside of which the discharge tip 20 fits and is fastened thereto.

The discharge tip fastening portion 11 includes a pair of elastic reverse rotation prevention portions 12 formed opposite to each other and selectively put on hold by a plurality of rotation restriction projections 21 a formed inside the discharge tip 20 with certain intervals described later. On end portions of the elastic reverse rotation prevention portions 12, holding projections 13 put on hold by the rotation restriction projections 21 a are formed to be projected outwards from the body 10.

On an end portion of the discharge tip fastening portion 11, there is formed a fastening projection 14 inserted into a fastening groove 21 b formed inside the discharge tip 20 described later to prevent a separation of the discharge tip 20. Accordingly, it is necessary to apply pressure when the discharge tip 20 fits the inlet portion of the body 10 or is separated therefrom. Also, the discharge tip 20 is not separated from the body 10 while fitting the inlet portion of the body 10 except for applying pressure thereto from the outside.

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view illustrating the discharge tip 20, FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view illustrating the discharge tip 20, and FIG. 8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view illustrating the discharge tip 20.

The discharge tip 20 includes a body fitting portion 21 fitting the discharge tip fastening portion 11 formed on the inlet portion of the body 10, a cap fitting portion 22 extended from the body fitting portion 21, an outside of which the cap 40 fits, and a brush fastening portion 23 extended from the cap fitting portion 22, to which the brush 70 is fastened.

On an inner circumferential surface of the body fitting portion 21, there are formed the plurality of rotation restriction projections 21 a in a circumferential direction with intervals, the rotation restriction projections 21 a by which the elastic reverse rotation prevention portions 12 of the body 10 are put on hold. Each of the rotation restriction projections 21 a is formed in a longitudinal direction of the discharge tip 20. On a location separated from the rotation restriction projections 21 a toward the cap fitting portion 22, there is formed the fastening groove 21 b in a circumferential direction, the fastening groove 21 b into which the fastening projections 14 of the body 10 is inserted.

The cap fitting portion 22 is extended from the body fitting portion 21 and an inner diameter and an outer diameter thereof are reduced than those of the body fitting portion 21. On a side of the cap fitting portion 22, there is formed a valve penetration hole 22 a where an end of the valve 51 is inserted into. Between the cap fitting portion 22 and the brush fastening portion 23, a shielding plate contact surface 22 b where a shielding plate 34 of the transfer nozzle 30 described later is attached to. Also, on the side of the cap fitting portion 22, there is formed on a locking groove 22 c where a plurality of locking projections 41 of the cap described later are put on hold and locked in.

The brush fastening portion 23 is extended from the cap fitting portion 22 and an inner diameter thereof is reduced than that of the cap fitting portion 22 and an outer diameter thereof is formed to be gradually reduced toward an end. An outlet formed on an outlet side of the brush fastening portion 23 is formed in an oval shape suitable for a shape of the brush 70 but not limited thereto and may be changed in diverse shapes depending on the shape of the brush 70. Inside the brush fastening portion 23, there is formed a brush fastening hole 23 a where the brush 70 is inserted into and fastened to. The brush fastening hole 23 a includes a brush penetration hole 23 b where the brush 70 is inserted into and a separation prevention portion insertion hole 23 c where a separation prevention portion 72 of the brush 70 described later is inserted into. The separation prevention portion insertion hole 23 c is formed to be close to the cap fitting portion 22 and a diameter thereof is formed to be larger than that of the brush penetration hole 23 b. Accordingly, since the separation prevention portion 72 is put on hold by a threshold between the brush penetration hole 23 b and the separation prevention portion insertion hole 23 c, a separation of the brush 70 from the brush fastening portion 23 is prevented.

FIG. 9 is a front view of the transfer nozzle 30, and FIG. 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view illustrating the transfer nozzle 30.

The transfer nozzle 30 includes a first nozzle portion 31, a holding portion 32, a valve insertion portion 33, the shielding plate 34, and a second nozzle portion 35.

The first nozzle portion 31 is formed in the shape of a long hollow cylinder and inserted inside the body 10 to become a path where the substance contained in the body 10 is transferred first. Outside the first nozzle portion 31, there is formed a screw thread to allow the compressing holder 60 to be screwed therewith. Inside the first nozzle portion 31, there is formed a first transfer path 31 a through which the substance is transferred. On one end of the first nozzle portion 31, there is formed on a substance inflow hole 31 b on a side thereof, the substance inflow hole 31 b allowing the substance to flow in the first transfer path 31 a though the substance is in contact with a bottom surface of the body 10.

The holding portion 32 is extended from another end of the first nozzle portion 31 and put on hold by the inlet of the body 10 while inserting the first nozzle portion 31 into the body 10. The holding portion 32 is formed in the shape of a plate vertical to the second nozzle portion 35. Inside the holding portion 32, there is formed a first substance penetration hole 32 a connected to the first transfer path 31 a.

The valve insertion portion 33 is extended from an end of the holding portion 32, into the valve insertion portion 33 the valve unit 50 being inserted. Inside the valve insertion portion 33, there is formed a valve insertion groove 33 a into which the valve unit 50 is inserted, the valve insertion groove 33 a being orthogonal to the first substance penetration hole 32 a. An inner surface of the valve insertion groove 33 a is formed to be stepped and an inner diameter thereof is reduced as inwards. An upper end of the valve 51 is put on hold by an outer threshold 33 b formed on the valve insertion groove 33 a and a lower end of the valve 51 is put on hold by an inner threshold 33 c formed on the valve insertion groove 33 a, thereby preventing more insertion.

The shielding plate 34 is extended from an end of the valve insertion portion 33 and attached to the shielding plate contact surface 22 b in the discharge tip 20, thereby preventing a reverse flow of the substance through between the transfer nozzle 30 and the discharge tip 20. On the shielding plate 34, there is formed a second substance penetration hole 34 a orthogonally connected to the valve insertion groove 33 a.

The second nozzle portion 35 is extended from an end of the shielding plate 34 and located inside the brush fastening portion 23 of the discharge tip 20. The second nozzle portion 35 is inserted inside into the brush 70 while being coupled therewith and discharges the substance into the brush 70. On the second nozzle portion 35, there is formed a second transfer path 35 a connected to the second substance penetration hole 34 a.

On the other hand, a transfer path formed between the first transfer path 31 a and the first substance penetration hole 32 a is formed in such a way that a diameter thereof becomes gradually reduced toward the valve insertion groove 33 a. This is for smoothly performing the inflow and transfer of the substance by gradually increasing pressure while the substance flows into and is transferred along the transfer path. On the contrary, a transfer path formed between the second substance penetration hole 34 a and the second transfer path 35 a is formed in such a way that a diameter thereof becomes gradually extended toward the end of the discharge tip 20, that is, the brush 70. This is for stably supplying the substance by reducing the pressure while discharging the substance.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating the cap 40, and FIG. 12 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view illustrating the cap 40.

One end of the cap 40 is open. On an inner circumferential surface of the open one end, there are formed the plurality of locking projections 41 in a circumferential direction with intervals, the plurality of locking projections 41 being locked in the locking groove 22 c formed outside the discharge tip 20. Accordingly, after closing the cap 40, the cap 40 may be separated by applying pressure capable of allowing the locking projections 41 to be separated from the locking groove 22 c.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating the valve 51, and FIG. 14 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view illustrating the valve 51.

Inside the valve 51, there is formed a spring insertion groove 51 a into which the spring 52 is inserted. On an inner circumferential surface of the spring insertion groove 51 a, there are formed a plurality of spring fitting projections 51 b separated from one another like the spokes of a wheel, the spring fitting projections 51 b where one end of the spring 52 fits not to be separated therefrom.

On an outer surface of the valve 51, there is formed a fitting threshold 51 c put on hold by the outer threshold 33 b formed on the valve insertion groove 33 a of the transfer nozzle 30.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating the compressing holder 60, and FIG. 16 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view illustrating the compressing holder 60.

In a center of the compressing holder 60, there is formed a nozzle coupling hole 61 where the first nozzle portion 31 forming the transfer nozzle 30 is screwed with and penetrates. On one end of the compressing holder 60, there is formed a sealing ring insertion hole 62 where the sealing ring 80 is inserted into, the sealing ring insertion hole 62 being connected to the nozzle coupling hole 61.

The sealing ring insertion hole 62 includes a first sealing portion insertion hole 62 a into which a first sealing portion 81 of the sealing ring 80 is inserted into and a second sealing portion insertion hole 62 b where a second sealing portion of the sealing ring 80 is inserted into, the first sealing portion 81 and the second sealing portion 82 being described later. On an inner circumferential surface of the first sealing ring insertion hole 62 a, there are formed a plurality of sealing projections 63 separated from each other being alternate with a plurality of first contact projections 84 of the sealing ring 80 described later, thereby extending a contact are between the first contact projections 84 and the compressing holder 60 and improving a sealing ability.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view illustrating the sealing ring 80, and FIG. 18 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view illustrating the sealing ring 80.

The sealing ring 80 is inserted into the sealing ring insertion hole 62 of the compressing holder 60 and surrounds the first nozzle portion 31 of the transfer nozzle 30 penetrating the compressing holder 60, thereby preventing a leakage of the substance of the body 10 via a gap between the first nozzle portion 31 and the compressing holder 60.

The sealing ring is formed of an elastic material and includes the first sealing portion 81 formed in a cylindrical shape and the second sealing portion 82 formed in a cylindrical shape extended from one end of the first sealing portion 81. Inside the first sealing portion 81 and the second sealing portion 82, there is formed a nozzle portion penetration hole 83 where the first nozzle portion 31 penetrates.

On an outer circumferential surface of the first sealing portion 81, there are formed the plurality of first contact projections 84 in close contact with an inner circumferential surface of the sealing ring insertion hole 62 of the compressing holder 60 separated from each other. On an inner circumferential surface of the nozzle portion penetration hole 83, there is formed a second contact projection 85 in close contact with an outer surface of the first nozzle portion 31 penetrating the nozzle portion penetration hole 83.

FIG. 19 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view illustrating the brush 70.

In a center of the brush 70, there is formed a nozzle portion insertion groove 71 into which the second nozzle portion 35 of the transfer nozzle 30 is inserted. On an inlet of the nozzle portion insertion groove 71, there is formed the separation prevention portion 72 inserted into the brush fastening portion 23 to protect the brush 70 from being separated outwards, the separation prevention portion 72 being extended to be orthogonal to the brush 70.

The brush 70 is formed in an oval shape from a top view but not limited thereto and may be formed in various shapes such as a circle.

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the operation of the valve 51 while opening the cap 40, and FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the operation of the valve 51 while closing the cap 40.

When the cap 40 is open as shown in FIG. 20, the end of the valve 51 is projected from the valve insertion groove 33 a of the transfer nozzle 30 by the spring 52 and penetrates the valve penetration hole 22 a of the discharge tip 20 to be projected outside the discharge tip 20. In this case, since the first substance penetration hole 32 a, the valve insertion groove 33 a, and the second substance penetration hole 34 a of the transfer nozzle 30 are connected to one another, the substance flowing in via the first transfer path 31 a is transferred to the brush 70 via the second nozzle portion 35.

In this process, the amount of the substance is controlled by pressure adjustment using rotation of the body 10.

When closing the cap 40 after use as shown in FIG. 21, the end of the valve 51 is pressed by the cap 40 fitting the cap fitting portion 22 of the discharge tip 20 and inserted into the valve insertion groove 33 a in such a way that a connection state among the first substance penetration hole 32 a, the valve insertion groove 33 a, and the second substance penetration hole 34 a of the transfer nozzle 30 is released. Via this, it is prevented supplying the substance to the brush 70.

As described above, when closing the cap 40, the valve is compressed by the cap 40 and a transfer path of the transfer nozzle 30 is automatically blocked, thereby simply preventing a leakage of the substance while being not used. Particularly, since the valve 51 is operated by only closing the cap 40 without additional operation, a use thereof is very convenient and it is possible to prevent unnecessary loss of the substance.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A cosmetic container with improved sealing performance, the cosmetic container comprising: a body containing a substance; a discharge tip coupled with an inlet of the body, via the discharge tip the substance being discharged outside; a transfer nozzle provided on the body and the discharge tip to become a transfer path of the substance; a cap fitting an outside of the discharge tip to be detachable and covering an outlet of the discharge tip not to expose the outlet outwards; and a valve unit automatically preventing a path of the transfer nozzle not to supply the substance to a discharging portion of the discharge tip when closing the cap.
 2. The cosmetic container of claim 1, wherein the valve unit comprises: a valve inserted into a valve insertion groove connected to the path in the transfer nozzle and projected outside the discharge tip via a valve penetration hole formed on the discharge tip; and an elastic element elastically supporting the valve in the valve insertion groove, wherein the valve is pushed by the elastic element and the path is open when opening the cap, and the valve is automatically compressed by the cap and the path is blocked when closing the cap.
 3. The cosmetic container of claim 2, wherein the transfer nozzle comprises: a first nozzle portion inserted into the body, inside the first nozzle portion a first transfer path being formed; a holding portion extended from one end of the first nozzle portion and put on hold by the inlet of the body, inside the holding portion a first substance penetration hole being formed and connected to the first transfer path; a valve insertion portion extended from the holding portion, inside the valve insertion portion a valve insertion groove being formed and connected to the first substance penetration hole; a shielding plate extended from the valve insertion portion and in close contact with an inner surface of the discharge tip to prevent reverse flow of the substance discharged outwards through between the transfer nozzle and the discharge tip, inside the shielding plate a second substance penetration hole being formed and connected to the valve insertion groove; and a second nozzle portion extended from the shielding plate and located on a discharging portion of the discharge tip, inside the second nozzle portion a second transfer path being formed and connected to the second substance penetration hole.
 4. The cosmetic container of claim 3, further comprising a compressing holder inserted into the body while being coupled with an outside of the first nozzle portion, the compressing holder being transferred on the first nozzle portion and increasing the pressure of the substance contained in the body by compressing the substance when rotating the body.
 5. The cosmetic container of claim 1, further comprising a brush provided on a discharging portion and connected to the transfer nozzle.
 6. The cosmetic container of claim 2, further comprising a brush provided on a discharging portion and connected to the transfer nozzle.
 7. The cosmetic container of claim 3, further comprising a brush provided on the discharging portion and connected to the transfer nozzle.
 8. The cosmetic container of claim 4, further comprising a brush provided on the discharging portion and connected to the transfer nozzle. 